Baton Rouge LA vs Miami FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 39.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 36.2% | 34.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 13.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Miami
35.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $59,390 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 35.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $580,996 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 30.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 27.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Miami
64.1 in
Miami +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 64.1 in | Miami + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 29.9 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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